But this is no ordinary gathering of males. Nor is it a “men’s group” or even a “support group”.

Bloomhill Cancer Help centre nurse Grant Hannaford has taken a good look at how the male of the species handles the fallout of an encounter with cancer.

Whether it’s a bloke’s own encounter or someone close to him, men are traditionally more challenged in talking about their feelings as they go through it.

But they certainly don’t mind getting together for a beer and a barbie.

If the subject of cancer comes up, then so be it.

So Grant has organised Bloomhill Blokes, a regular and casual afternoon get-together, starting this Friday.

He said there would be no structure to the get-together or rules for men to “perform”.

“It’s a casual, no-pressure environment,” he said. “Men can just talk if they want, but be able to choose not to talk and just listen to others.

“My twin brother has gone through this over the last three years.

“He has come out of it; he’s one of the luckier ones and came out with an all-clear.

“But for the last three years he has been through it all.”

And so has Grant, their parents and anyone else close to them.

“Blokes often want to talk, but always on their own terms,” Grant said.

Cancer is now the largest disease affecting Australians and although the latest figures show survival levels are around 60%, it’s all the surrounding effects which can be debilitating to deal with for all family members.

“Some are in the dying process, some in recovery – but anyone who recovers are never the same again,” Grant said.

“They have to re-think what life is all about, and part of that is goal-setting, re-shaping their lives.”

The Friday events are not a men’s group and not even a support group “but you will find support there.

“It will be about standing around having a chat, just like the family barbecue where the blokes are always up at one end.”

The inaugural Bloomhill Blokes get-together will be at Bloomhill Cancer Help, 58 Ballinger Road, Buderim, this Friday from 3pm-5pm.